Intussusception: The use of delayed, repeated reduction attempts and the management of intussusceptions due to pathologic lead points in pediatric patients

OBJECTIVE. The nonoperative management of intussusception continues to evolve and is the subject of ongoing debate. Our purpose was to assess our current enema reduction rate and to focus on two specific issues that have received little attention in the literature: first, the value and safety of using delayed, repeated reduction attempts and, second, the management of intussusceptions due to lead points. MATERIALS AND METHODS. We performed a retrospective analysis of all intussusception cases seen at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada, a tertiary pediatric hospital, from May 1999 to December 2002. RESULTS. There were 163 children with a total of 219 intussusceptions. Enema reduction was attempted in 211 (96%). Reduction rate with air enema was 90.2%. Delayed reduction attempts were used in 25 patients (15.3%) in 26 intussusceptions (12.3%) and were successful in 50% of the cases. Lead points were documented in 13 children (8%); sonography depicted the lead points in seven (53.8%) of the 13. The reduction rate of intussusceptions due to lead points was 63.6% (14/22). CONCLUSION. Air enema associated with the use of delayed, repeated reduction attempts is a safe and effective approach for intussusception reduction with a high success rate. Delayed, repeated reduction attempts should be considered when the initial attempt manages to move the intussusceptum and the patient remains clinically stable. The management of intussusceptions due to lead points remains a challenge. Sonography does not depict all lead points, and the indication for other imaging studies should be tailored according to each particular patient. We recommend attempted enema reduction in all patients with lead points.